• Video
  • Map
  • Extras
  • Words

Which ray is the best swimmer?

Discover which ray flies through the water, just like a bird.
00:41 32 Likes 2875 Views
Autoplay on
Like
Favourite

Which ray is the best swimmer?

Play again
EXPLORE TOPIC

Ray Movement

LOCATIONS IN VIDEO

Links

Rays and skates (Te Ara)

Learn about the types of rays you can find in New Zealand

 

New Zealand Eagle Ray (Nature Watch)

See all the eagle ray spotted in New Zealand by other nature enthusiasts.


Activities

Experiment: Make a swim bladder

You will need:

  • 1 heavy object (e.g. a metal spoon or block of wood)
  • 1 balloon
  • 1 kitchen bag clip (to close and open the balloon)
  • 1 rubber band (or some other way to attach the balloon to the heavy object)
  • A bucket full of water

Blow up a balloon and attach it to the heavy object. Does it sink or swim?

What happens when you remove air from the balloon? What happens when you add air?

Challenge: Can you attach the balloon to the object and add juuuust the right amount of air so that it floats in the middle of the water (beneath the surface without touching the bottom)?

This is how fish use their swim bladders to move up and down in the water.

Swim bladder

 

The swim bladder is an internal organ that helps some fish float in the same place despite changes in the water around them. This air-filled sac also allows them to go up or down without having to waste energy swimming.

Predator

 

An animal (E.g. a shark, dolphin, or human) that naturally hunts and eats other animals.

Click for more words!
Learn to Draw
Interviews with Experts
Hauraki Gulf
YOE adventures
Sea of Hope
SeaLegacy's Sea of Hope episode
Riley can't find the ocean here!
Mussels do what to the water?
Hope Stories - Revive our Gulf
Is that an underwater robot?
Riley searches for sharks
How much oxygen do sea plants produce?
Hope Stories - 1+A Day
Why call it a carpet shark?
Hope Stories - Fish and Chips
Hope Stories - Experiencing Marine Reserves
Learn to Draw - Bryde's Whale
How long do Māui dolphins live for?
Annoying species
Are sharks bones made from noses?
Whales can’t tell the difference between ...?
Riley goes whale watching
Is it a bird? Is it a plane?
Why is plastic so bad for sea creatures?
Learn to Draw - Short-finned Eel
Learn to Draw - Hutton's Shearwater
Riley meets some citizen scientists!
What is a kelp forest?
Rāhui - protection
Seaweed Dad jokes
Crazy plastic journey
Stop marine pests spreading
How many Māui dolphins?
Disappearing sea life?
Do fish eat meatballs?
What's so special about turtle shells?
Crab Dad jokes
What’s a twitcher?
Little blue penguin eggs
If you were a turtle, would you rather ...
Which dolphin has the biggest teeth?
Is this a sea hedgehog?
Riley finds some massive clams!
Stingray Dad jokes
How do you clean a dirty ocean?
How do we stop spreading marine pests
Most amazing petrel fact?